Methods and systems for performing security weight checks at checkouts

Abstract

Checkout techniques are described to address fraud reduction and prevention. As an example, a bypass fraud detection process determines when a customer may have attempted to bypass self-checkout security.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for performing a self-checkout security test comprising:
 measuring an aggregate weight for a shopping cart and its contents utilizing a first weigh scale integrated into a mat on a floor where the shopping cart is located at a self-checkout system with the shopping cart on the mat; 
 deducting a tare for the weight of the shopping cart to deter mine an aggregate weight for its contents; 
 determining a security weight for all items actually scanned and bagged utilizing a security scale of the self-checkout system; 
 comparing the aggregate weight for contents with the security weight; and 
 notifying an operator if the comparison results in a difference more than a predetermined amount. 
 
     
     
       2. A method for performing a checkout security test comprising:
 measuring a weight for a plurality of items plus a tare utilizing a first weigh scale integrated into a mat on a floor where the shopping cart is located at a self-checkout system with the shopping cart on the mat; 
 detecting a change in the weight measured by the first weigh scale at a first time; 
 determining if a timely scan of an item has occurred with relationship to said detected change; and 
 generating an indication of a potential fraud if it is determined that a timely scan of an item has not occurred. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  where the step of determining if a timely scan of an item has occurred further comprises determining if a scan of an item has occurred within a predetermined time of said detecting a change in the weight. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of determining if a timely scan of an item has occurred further comprises determining if a scan of an item has occurred prior to detecting a further change in the weight measured by the first weigh scale. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2  further comprising where the step of generating an indication of a potential fraud further comprises generating a timestamp associated with video of checkout. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2  wherein the tare comprises the weight of an empty shopping cart. 
     
     
       7. A system for performing a self-checkout security test comprising:
 a first weigh scale to measure a weight for a shopping cart and its contents, the first weigh scale integrated in to a mat on a floor where the shopping cart is located at a self-checkout system with the shopping cart on the mat; 
 a programmed processor to deduct a tare for the weight of the shopping cart to determine a weight for its contents; 
 a security scale of the self-checkout system to determine a security weight for all items actually scanned and bagged; 
 a programmed processor to compare the weight for contents with the security weight; and a programmed processor to notify an operator terminal if the comparison differs by more than a predetermined amount. 
 
     
     
       8. A system for performing a checkout security test comprising:
 a scale measuring weight for a plurality of items plus a tare, wherein the scale is integrated into a mat on a floor and is located at a self-checkout system; 
 a programmed processor detecting a change in the weight measured by the first weigh scale at a first time; 
 the programmed processor also determining if a timely scan of an item has occurred; and 
 the system generating an indication of a potential fraud if it is determined that a timely scan of an item has not occurred. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8  where the step of determining if a timely scan of an item has occurred further comprises determining if a scan of an item has occurred within a predetermined time of said detecting a change in the weight. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9  wherein the processor further determines if a timely scan of an item has occurred by determining if a scan of an item has occurred prior to detecting a further change in the weight measured by the first weigh scale. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10  further comprising the processor generating an indication of a potential fraud by generating a timestamp associated with video of checkout by a video controller. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 8  wherein the tare comprises the weight of an empty shopping cart.